A potential business in Yazoo County is the first operation concerned about a new ordinance that prohibits the sale or allowance of alcohol or any cannabis products within a certain distance from any church or school.
Ricky Redder appeared before the Yazoo County Board of Supervisors during its Monday meeting requesting clarity in a new ordinance the county leaders approved last year. The businessman is interested in purchasing property in the Vaughan community near I-55 to construct a convenience and fuel store.
“We just want to make sure everything is fine, and that there are no objections to it,” Redder said. “I just need to know what my next step will be so that I can make sure everything goes smoothly.”
Redder is referring to the county’s new ordinance that went into effect Oct. 21, 2024. The new ordinance states that “it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell or allow to be sold alcoholic beverages, beer, wine or any cannabis products at any location within 2,500 feet of any church or school located in any unincorporated area of Yazoo County. This ordinance shall not apply to any individual or business located within the city limits of any incorporated city or town in Yazoo County.” The ordinance applies to any business that was not established or operating by Oct. 21. The new ordinance does not apply to any presently licensed establishment.
The ordinance was approved on a 3-2 vote during an earlier Yazoo County Board of Supervisors meeting. Supervisors Willie Wright and Lee Moore were the two opposing votes.
The property that Redder is interested in purchasing and constructing his business is adjacent to a church.
“The church members said they were fine with it,” Redder said. “Based on Google maps, we are about 2,400 feet from the church. That is why I want to bring it to your attention before we proceed.”
“I would have to hear something from the church itself,” replied Supervisor Joseph Thomas Jr. “I am not saying that you aren’t telling the truth, but I can’t commit to something when I haven’t talked to them.”
Upon referring to legal counsel, Board Attorney Jay Barbour told the county board that its new ordinance does not include any exceptions, based on its wording. Redder questioned whether the ordinance’s required distance refers to property lines or structure lines.
“If we go door to door, we are well over the 2,500 feet,” Redder said. “But if we are property line to property line, that is where that difference comes from. Is it door to door or property line to property line?”
Based on the ordinance, distances of the property on which a church or school is located will be established from the “outermost perimeter.”
“I think he would measure from the store building to the church’s property line,” Barbour said. “The ordinance says you measure the church or school from its property line, but it doesn’t say how you measure the store. So, I would say you would measure from the church’s property line to the store building.”
Redder was advised to work with a surveyor to establish those lines to remain in line with the county’s new ordinance since Yazoo County does not have a building inspector. Yazoo County is one of the only counties in the state with no zoning regulations.
The site for the potential new business was brought before the county board last November. Chad Segrest, a real estate agent, approached the county board representing Gary Perkins, who owns the 50 acres of land at the northwest corner of I-55 and the Vaughan exit. The area lacks any such business for 15 miles south or north from the parcel.
